Mitzvah —
154
Not to have sexual relations with your wife's sister
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וְאִשָּׁ֥ה אֶל־אֲחֹתָ֖הּ לֹ֣א תִקָּ֑ח לִצְרֹ֗ר לְגַלּ֧וֹת עֶרְוָתָ֛הּ עָלֶ֖יהָ בְּחַיֶּֽיהָ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת אַחֲרֵי מוֹת
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Leviticus 18:18 - "And you shall not take a woman with her sister [in marriage] as rivals, to uncover the nakedness of one upon the other, in her lifetime."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Family – מִשְׁפָּחָה
Forbidden to have sexual relations with one’s wife’s sister while the wife is still alive.
This mitzvah prohibits marrying or having relations with a wife’s sister while the wife is still alive. The Torah refers to such a union as creating rivalry (tzarah) between sisters, which undermines family harmony and dignity. This prohibition applies only during the wife’s lifetime; if she passes away, her sister is not forbidden by this law.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Bi’ah 2:12): Explains that the prohibition applies only during the lifetime of the wife.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 203): The root is to maintain peace within families and prevent rivalry and hatred between close relatives.
- Talmud (Yevamot 8a): Discusses the application of this law and clarifies that the prohibition is tied to the wife’s lifetime.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
